Benacquisto Scholarship Program
Florida Department of Education, Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA)
Full in-state cost of attendance (minus Bright Futures and National Merit awards) for Florida National Merit Scholars at Florida colleges.
- How much
- Institutional in-state cost of attendance minus Bright Futures and National Merit awards
- Who qualifies
- 2026 National Merit Scholar; Florida resident with a standard Florida HS diploma or equivalent (home education, or a non-Florida diploma while living with a parent on military or public-service assignment away from Florida, also qualify); full-time (12+ credit hours) in a bachelor's program at an eligible regionally accredited Florida public or independent institution. Out-of-state students can no longer qualify for an initial award. 2026-27 college sponsors: Embry-Riddle, FAU, FIU, FSU, New College, UCF, UF, University of Miami, USF.
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads
- U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen (as determined by the institution)
- When to apply
- Apply any time Automatic for eligible National Merit Scholars; National Merit reports college choice by May 31 of senior year; must enroll the fall after high school graduation (one-year deferral allowed).
- How to apply
- No application
- Become a National Merit Scholar (a National Merit $2500, corporate-sponsored, or college-sponsored Merit Scholarship
- 'Special' corporate and 'Presidential' awards do not count) and enroll full-time in a bachelor's program at an eligible Florida institution the fall after graduation
- The college verifies eligibility from the National Merit roster
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org), page 2 and page 3
The details
Merit scholarship for Florida high school graduates who become National Merit Scholars. Award each fall and spring term = the institution's in-state cost of attendance (tuition and fees, on-campus room and board, books, supplies, travel, misc.) minus the Bright Futures award and the National Merit award. At eligible private 4-year schools it uses the highest in-state public university cost of attendance. No summer funding. Covers credit hours up to a first bachelor's degree, for up to 5 years after high school graduation and no more than 10 semesters. Renewal: 3.0 cumulative GPA and earn all hours enrolled each term; once lost it cannot be restored. Students with a college-sponsored Merit Scholarship must stay at that institution. Initial award can be deferred one year.
More money from Florida
- McKnight Doctoral Fellowshipstipend up to $14,000 per year for up to 3 years
- Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarship Program (MMB)up to $3,000 per year (2025-26; may be prorated)
- Florida Bright Futures - Florida Academic Scholars (FAS)100% of tuition and applicable fees at Florida public institutions; at private institutions $212 per semester credit hour (4-year, 2026-27); Academic Top Scholars add $44 per semester credit hour
- Florida Bright Futures - Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholars (GSC)$39 per semester credit hour (career certificate or applied technology diploma), $48 per semester credit hour (AS/AAS/CCC technical degree), 2026-27; $48 per semester credit hour toward a BS/BAS after an AS/AAS
- Florida Bright Futures - Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars (GSV)$39 per semester credit hour (career certificate or applied technology diploma), $48 per semester credit hour (AS/AAS/CCC technical degree), 2026-27
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Alabama, Georgia
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.